Hadn't heard of this event at all before, but I know I'll be tuning in next year! May the fumes of fossil fuels never die! And neither Travis Pastrana.

He goes cray cray. What a day yay. And I had heard of Nitro Circus...

Don't let potential be written on your tombstone.

Courtesy Max Knoblauch over at that newsletter I occasionally consider opting out of since I feel like I have better things to spend my time on but then again it's nice to keep up with the world a bit and this is one easy way to do so all things considered! And ain't that ^ the truth these days.

Not new but interesting! If you're into China. And who isn't. It's the world.

I guess Dom needed that near-death moment to see the truth, but it felt a bit unnecessary... it's not like him to just sacrifice himself when he could've potentially escaped. Bolted the door from the other side or something - or broken the handle - it seems they didn't need it to open it after all when Letty just came right back through it. Out of character drama.

Otherwise I like how they bring things back to basics with this one! Metaphorically rebuilding the house of old, and even saving a place for Brian at the end - awesome part, though I felt it was kinda strange for them to bring in Mia initially. For the most part she suddenly seems a little out of place, especially when she's trying to use chopsticks! Though it's good to see her again regardless. She's family after all.

Compared to the remote-controlled car sequences in the previous movie the electromagnet-based ones now don't feel all as gargantuan, BUT they do feel more polished! I don't see the CGI at all there. A bit more notable with the final rolling fort, reminiscent of the one in #7 (possible also #5? Not sure), but it's still awesome.

I love the backstory too. And unlike the last where Dom suddenly has a part of the past that seems previously uncounted for - that they just added in need of a good leash, this one feels merited. It feels authentic. It really goes back to family yet again, into his past, and what truly defines him. In the best possible way.

And I'm glad they didn't try to add in a CGI Brian somewhere either. He's there in memory more so. As he truly is meant to be.

The scenes are really REALLY getting unreal at this point. Dom's near-death tangles with the drone - he looks pretty much unphazed when he jumps from the truck, and in the silo, and stopping the train in the first place? It's like they're not even trying to be real at this point. It's almost like he's a mix between Dom and Riddick now, though it still is AWESOME.

Only lose end here feels like Mr. Nobody, and though I miss some of the new-but-now-missing cast you do get a little glimpse before it's over...

 rated 4.5/5: almost awesome

'The Fate Of The Furious' because it came after Paul was gone hmm, and nobody really knew what would happen with the franchise then?

It feels like a suitable title! I like the name, and I like the movie, though indeed sometimes you feel like they're still a little lost without Brian. Letty has two lines - one in regard to Brian - and one in the car chasing the sub, that just didn't seem in character either. Of course she's fighting her demons too with this one, chasing Dom, who in a sense has also lost his way, but still. Those two lines could've been better delivered. Or scripted.

Feels like certain characters shift and slip up too quick too, and though I do like Scott Eastwood I'm not sure he's the right addition, he feels like unnecessary comic relief. We're already laughing at (and with!) Roman. He's the shining light in that department.

As for the good things I really like the new villain. She's believable, and ruthless, and reminds me a bit of Angelina Jolie in Wanted. Bad-ass.

I also really like the CGI - you can barely tell what's fake or not, and the remote-controlled vehicle death race... woah! Brutal. As are the explosions on ice. Creative action with plenty an explosive contraption, and I love it!

Overall it feels more polished than the last, if that's possible. And it's a blast. Even though things might've been better in a past, and it feels almost like they were trying to replace the hole left after Brian with Steve... he's a cop too, in a way. Who starts naive, but gets the ropes and eventually figures out it's all about family too. Kind of. Doesn't feel like he's quite there yet. Not quite the same after all...

Great movie. But not perfect. Feels like a bit of a side-step from the Fast & Furious comradery we know and love too - though of course that's a part of the twist.

 rated 4.5/5: almost awesome